Bachelor of Applied Music

VU course code: ABAM | Level of study: Undergraduate

ATAR

Not required

Duration

3 years full time or longer for part time

Delivery mode

In person

Fees

Commonwealth supported place

Location

Footscray Nicholson

Applications closed

A group of young musicians perform on a indigo stage

Overview

Discover your sound. Shape the future. The Bachelor of Applied Music at Victoria University empowers you to grow not just as a musician but as a socially conscious, future-ready, creative professional.

This music degree blends creativity with real-world application, and prepares you for a wide range of career pathways in music teaching, production, performance, mixed-media arts, and community projects.

The Bachelor of Applied Music also sets you up to study music education, music therapy, community development, youth work, and social work. It explores the power of music to support emotional, cultural and social wellbeing, and engage with Indigenous and social-justice issues.

This innovative course focuses on four interconnected study areas:

Music teaching: Learn the skills to become a confident and effective instrumental teacher.
Creative digital music production, video and streaming, and AI music: Step into the future of sound online.
Music for life, music for change: Learn how music can support personal wellbeing and inspire change – locally and globally.
Performance skills: Apply and refine performance skills and discover your sound through rearranging and songwriting.

With minor studies in digital media, visual art, writing and psychology alongside music, you can choose a multi-disciplinary approach to your future career and creative life.

: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Investigate opportunities for ethical music practice in relation to other fields of work, occupations, and academic disciplines, and adapt to the diversity of fields required for music practitioners;

Contextualise core skills and knowledge in effective instrumental music learning and teaching in a range of one-to-one and group settings, with an emphasis on teacher-learner roles, technology's role in teaching popular music, and the broader academic benefits for children and adolescents learning a musical instrument.

Reflect on their experiences and understanding of the role of music in culture and community as a catalyst for social cohesion at the local, national and global level, including consideration of sustainability and First Nations perspectives;

Critically analyse and evaluate research in the field of music perception and cognition, with a focus on the positive effects music has on individuals and groups regarding their mental, emotional and psychosocial wellbeing.

Devise creative and collaborative musical works using current digital technologies, including professional music apps, ethically sound Artificial Intelligence (AI) music and audio tools, and real-time interactive streaming technologies.

Compose and arrange songs, employing a range of songwriting techniques that exploit music and lyrics as agents for self-expression and storytelling.

Analyse and transform musical works by employing listening and ear training skills, music theory knowledge and analysis, practice and research in the fields of music performance, arranging, composition and improvisation.
: Discover what's happening in the VU music community. Attend a gig and listen to some of the tunes our talented staff and students are creating.
VU Music Community webpage
VU Music Instagram
VU Music Facebook
: Melbourne boasts more live-music venues per capita than any other major city in the world – so when you study at VU you'll have more places to perform or get inspired.
Come to Melbourne to study music, and make the most of living in a live-music metropolis.
: Study this course via our award-winning VU Block Model®, where you complete one subject at a time over four weeks, rather than juggling several at once.
Learning in workshop-style classes, you’ll develop strong connections with your peers and practical skills for your future career.
You’ll also get fast feedback on your assignments, helping you to improve quickly as you progress through your course.
Learn more about the VU Block Model®
: Achieve your full potential with The Learning Hub, which help you develop your confidence, academic ability, and study skills.
Benefit from in-person mentoring and study sessions, along with a range of digital learning modules that you can access anytime.
Get help from our online, 24/7 support service to polish your assignments before you submit, and receive guidance on writing, referencing, maths and more.
Read more about The Learning Hub

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your educational achievements and work experience, as well as your skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a related course or unit(s). We call this a ‘pathway’.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

ATAR requirements

No minimum ATAR required

This course does not have a minimum ATAR requirement for entry. Read the entry criteria for this course below.

Why ATAR is not applicable

You do not need an ATAR score to apply for this course. Instead, you need to have successfully completed secondary school and to meet any requirements outlined below. Our courses and support programs are designed to prepare students from diverse cultures for success, regardless of their ATAR, age, education or socioeconomic background.

This course allows advanced standing (credit) for students who have undertaken a diploma or advanced diploma in music performance, or who have experience as a professional musician or music teacher.

Entry criteria

Minimum entry criteria include:

English-language requirements
academic requirements.

Your work and life experience will also be considered.

To find specific entry requirements for this course, please select the section below that is most relevant to you.

Meeting the minimum entry criteria does not guarantee entry into this course.

: This information is relevant if, in the 2 years prior to studying with us, you have completed (or will complete) one of the following:

Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE)

an Australian or overseas equivalent to VCE

an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English
: This information is relevant if you have completed an accredited award (such as a certificate or diploma) at an Australian Registered Training Organisation (usually a TAFE, polytechnic or other registered VET institute).

Admission criteria

N/A
: This information is relevant if you’ve previously completed all or part of a university or other higher-education course.

Admission criteria

Full or partial completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of a single unit of Higher Education studies in Music.
OR:
Completion of a bridging or enabling course eg. Foundation course or equivalent.
: This information is relevant if you left secondary school more than two years ago and haven’t studied since.

Admission criteria

Mature aged applicants may apply with evidence of minimum 5 years of relevant work/life experience.
If completion of senior secondary qualification is within two years from application, a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English

Special entry programs

Special admission programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs

VU Early Entry

If you're currently in Year 11 or 12, our exclusive VU Early Entry program comes with a Conditional Offer to the course of your choosing*, a personalised course plan, special events, exclusive discounts and access to one-on-one course advice.

*Conditions apply.

Learn more about VU Early Entry

Additional information

There is no audition for this course. Applicants must have at least two years’ experience playing a musical instrument and/or singing prior to commencing the course. Applicants should provide a one-page written statement that identifies: your voice/instrument(s), style(s) of music you play, how many years’ experience have you been playing music (minimum 2 years), level and evidence of musical training/experience achieved (e.g. VCE Music 3&4); must include a short performance video (one song/3-5 mins) that is used to confirm you play music. Videos may be posted on Youtube, or uploaded to a cloud storage service with no password protection. Links to videos should be included in your personal statement along with your VTAC reference and ID (VTAC applicants) or VU ID (direct applicants).

Credit & Entry pathways into this course

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Applied Music, students will be required to complete 288 credit points consisting of:

240 credit points of Core studies
48 credit points of Minor studies

Units

Fees & scholarships

University fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).

Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer (including our generous scholarship program).

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is subsidised by the government, reducing it to the amount listed here. Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens will qualify for a CSP place. If your course is not Commonwealth supported, or you don't qualify, you'll pay full fees.

Learn more about Commonwealth Supported Places

Fees

Scholarships

Careers

The Bachelor of Applied Music is designed to open up a wide range of career opportunities where music is often used, beyond traditional notions of a professional musician.

Career outcomes directly arising from this course include: